1249-1262

The Norwegian Account of Haco's Expedition Against Scotland, 1263

At the time that King Haco ruled over Norway,
Alexander, the son of William King of Scotland, was then King of Scotland. He
was a great Prince, and very ambitious of this world's praise. He sent, from
Scotland in the Western sea, two Bishops to
King Haco. At first they
begged to know if King
Haco would give up those territories in the Hebrides, which King Magnus
Bare-foot had unjustly wrested from
Malcolm, Predecessor to
the Scottish King. The King said that Magnus had settled with
Malcolm, what districts
the Norwegians should have in Scotland, or in the Islands which lay near it. He
affirmed, however, that the King of Scotland had no sovereignty in the Hebrides
at the time when King Magnus won them from King Godred, and also that King
Magnus only asserted his Birthright. The commissioners then said, that the King
of Scotland was willing to purchase all the Hebrides from
King Haco, and entreated
him to value them in fine silver. The King replied, he knew no such urgent want
of money as would oblige him to sell his inheritance. With that answer the
messengers departed. From this cause some misunderstanding arose between the
Kings. The Scottish Monarch, however, frequently renewed the negotiation, and
sent many proposals; but the Scots received no other explanation than what is
here related.

1249

Alexander
King of Scotland {Alexander II}, wished much for possession of the
Hebrides. He had often sent to Norway to redeem them with money, and he did so
this summer. But when he could not purchase those territories of
King Haco, he took other
measures in hand, which were not princely. Collecting forces throughout all
Scotland, he prepared for a voyage to the Hebrides, and determined to subdue
those islands under his dominion. He made it manifest before his subjects, that
he would not desist till he had set his standard east on the cliffs of Thurso,
and had reduced under himself all the provinces which the Norwegian Monarch
possessed to the westward of the German Ocean.

King
Alexander sent word to John King of the isles that he wished to see him.
But King John would not meet the Scottish King till four Earls of Scotland had
pledged their honour, that he should return in safety, whether any agreement
was made or not. When the Kings met, the Scottish Monarch besought King John,
that he would give up Carnborg into his power, and three other Castles which he
held of King Haco; as also
the other lands which King
Haco had conferred upon him. The Scottish King added, that, if he would
join him in good earnest, he would reward him with many greater estates in
Scotland, together with his confidence and favour. All King John's Relations
and Friends pressed him to assent. But he behaved well, and uprightly; and
declared that he would not break his oath to
King Haco. On this King
John went away, and stopped not at any place till he came quite north to Lewes
{Lewis}.

King
Alexander, then lying in Kerrera Sound, dreamed a dream, and
thought three men came to him. He thought one of them was in royal robes, but
very stern, ruddy in countenance, somewhat thick, and of middling size. Another
seemed of a slender make, but active, and of all men the most engaging, and
majestic. The third again, was of very great stature, but his features were
distorted, and of all the rest he was the most unsightly. They addressed their
speech to the King, and enquired whether he meant to invade the Hebrides.
Alexander thought he answered that he certainly proposed to subject the
islands. The Genius of the vision bade him go back; and told him no other
measure would turn out to his advantage. The King related his dream; and many
advised him to return. But the King would not; and a little after he was seized
with a disorder, and died. The Scottish army then broke up; and they removed
the King's body to Scotland. The Hebridians say that the men whom the King saw
in his sleep were St Olave King of Norway, St Magnus Earl of Orkney, and St
Columba.

The Scotch took for their
King Alexander
{Alexander III} the son of
King Alexander
{Alexander II}. He afterwards married the daughter of Henry King of England,
and became a great prince.

1261

In summer there came, from Scotland in the west, an Archdeacon, and
a knight called Missel, as Envoys from
Alexander King of
Scotland. They shewed more fair language than truth, as seemed to
King Haco. They set out so
abruptly on their return, that none wist till they were under sail. The
King dispatched Briniolf
Johnson in pursuit, and he detained them with him. The
King declared that they
should remain that winter in Norway, because they had gone away without taking
leave, contrary to what other Envoys did.

1262

In summer there came letters from the Kings of the Hebrides in the
western seas. They complain'd much of the hostilities which the Earl of Ross,
Kiarnach, the son of Mac-camal, and other Scots committed in the Hebrides when
they went out to Sky. They burned
villages, and churches, and they killed great numbers both of men and women.
They affirmed, that the Scotch had even taken the small children and raising
them on the points of their spears shook them till they fell down to their
hands, when they threw them away lifeless on the ground.

They said also, that the
Scottish King
purposed to subdue all the Hebrides, if life was granted him.

When King Haco
heard these tidings they gave him much uneasiness, and he laid the case before
his council. Whatever objections were made, the resolution was then taken, that
King Haco should in
winter, about Christmas, issue an edict through all Norway, and order out both
what troops and provisions he thought his dominions could possibly supply for
an expedition. He commanded all his forces to meet him at Bergen, about the
beginning of spring.